From Tom Turkey, the balloon that historically launches the parade, until Santa glides in front of Macy's flagship store three hours later, 800 clowns, 27 floats, 1,600 cheerleaders, 44 novelty balloons and 11 marching bands wend their way three miles downtown.

"It is one of the few experiences we have that is comforting and feels like it is always there," says singer Michael Feinstein, making his fifth appearance at the parade. "They keep up with the time, but they also do not let go of tradition."

For most of us, it's a lovely annual tradition, ushering in the holidays. For John Piper, vice president of the parade studio, it's been his passion for 31 years.

On a mild day six weeks before the parade, Piper walks through the massive studio in Moonachie, N.J., near the Meadowlands complex. Deflated balloons are stored in bins. Most of Snoopy, however, is inflated. His nose alone is 55 feet long. Jim Artle, the parade's most senior "balloonatic," prepares to paint Uncle Sam's peeling red, white and blue outfit.

Massive foam structures, glued onto wood frames, sit in various stages of completion. No matter how huge, each one will be compacted to 12.5 feet tall and 8.5 feet wide to fit through the Lincoln Tunnel.

The Wednesday before the parade, workers inflate the balloons and reassemble the floats, which has become "the largest nonevent in New York City," Piper says. Some years it is so crowded, pedestrian gridlock sets in.

The tallest float this year, at 36 feet, is the new torch of freedom, a re-creation of the hand, arm and torch of the Statue of Liberty, in honor of the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Feinstein wrote a kids song about pirates and will be on the Jolly Pirate Ship float.

"It is certainly a resonant experience because of the history of what the parade represents," Feinstein says. "There is something so extraordinary about being on the float and the two hours leading up to the actual performance broadcast because that is when you have the chance to connect with an extraordinary number of people, who are all at their best, people who are happy and appreciating life and enjoying the celebration of something good in our world that has lasted.

"It is fantastic," he continues. "People yell your name as you go by, and you see them dancing."

"We are very proud that we are the custodians of this wonderful national holiday, where Americans give thanks and celebrate," Piper says. "It really has become the opening of the door to the season. When I am on a portion of the parade and 2 million mouths are wide open and 4 million eyes are popping and everyone is a child — it doesn't get any better!"